Things to do in Oahu
Sunset Cruise Waikiki38 optionsSnorkel Oahu61 optionsWhale Watching Oahu31 optionsBoat Tour Oahu69 optionsOahu Helicopter Tour9 optionsNorth Shore Tours40 optionsZipline Oahu5 optionsSunset Cruise Oahu22 optionsOahu Catamaran36 optionsFishing Tour Oahu8 optionsSnorkeling Tour Waikiki8 optionsGlass Bottom Boat Oahu8 options
Sort
Honolulu: Pearl Harbor, Dole Plantation & Polynesian Center from KauaiYou fly from Kauai to Honolulu in the morning, spend the day at Pearl Harbor (with the USS Arizona Memorial boat ride), Dole Plantation (with Dole Whip and souvenirs), the North Shore's famous surf beaches, and the Polynesian Cultural Center (with canoe rides, village tours, and a barbecue lunch). Entry tickets and your local guide are included. You fly back to Kauai in the evening.Is it for me?Book this if you're on Kauai and want to see three of Oahu's major sites in one day without arranging separate flights, rental cars, and tickets—the airfare and logistics are already woven into the itinerary, which is what makes a full island experience possible in a single day.
Kailua: Self-Guided Kayak & Snorkel Day with Lunch & IslandsYou’ll paddle out from Kailua Bay with everything set up—kayak, snorkel gear, lunch packed—and chart your own route to Oahu’s offshore islands or hidden beaches. Swim in tide pools, spot birds or turtles if you’re lucky, and finish with time to relax on shore or ride bikes along the coast. It’s your pace all day—no rush.
Honolulu: Beginner Snorkel Tour with Reef Fish & Free VideosYou’ll slip into Honolulu’s gentle ocean with an easygoing local guide by your side—no swimming experience needed. Learn how to use your snorkel gear, float over reefs bursting with fish, and laugh at your first attempts (caught on video for you). The salty breeze and splashy colors might stick with you long after you’re dry.
Oahu North Shore: Surf Lessons with Pro Lifeguard & DogsYou’ll learn to surf on Oahu’s North Shore with a pro lifeguard and her friendly dogs by your side. After a quick beach lesson, you’ll paddle out for real waves — maybe even spot sea turtles gliding nearby. It’s equal parts laughter, challenge, and salty air; you’ll walk away sandy, tired, and weirdly proud.
Oahu Rum Distillery Tour & Tasting: Kō Hana FarmYou arrive at a renovated plantation general store, taste fresh cane juice, walk through a sugarcane garden and barrel room, then sit at the tasting bar for four different rums plus samples of barrel-aged honey, cake, and hot sauce. The whole experience runs 45-60 minutes with a local guide and groups capped at fifteen people, so you get the full process without the crowds.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see how rum is actually made—from the cane to the barrel to the glass—without spending half a day on it. The small group size and fixed timing mean you get the full process and the tasting without the usual distillery crowds.
Surf Lessons in Waikiki: Learn with Professional InstructorsOhana Surf Project offers surf lessons in Waikiki with a professional instructor, all equipment, and complimentary shuttle transport from designated Waikiki pickup spots. The lesson runs two hours (or one hour for some options), starting with a safety briefing and gear check at the Ohana Surf Center at the Waikiki Beach Marriott, then moving to the water with your instructor to practice on a high-quality board. After the session, you return to the center to review photos and videos before the shuttle takes you back to your drop-off location. Children from age 2 are welcome, and the staff speak English, Japanese and Korean.Is it for me?Book a one-hour lesson if you want a quick introduction to surfing or have limited time in Waikiki; choose the two-hour option if you want more time in the water to build confidence and practice what your instructor shows you. Family lessons and private one-to-one sessions are available if you prefer to learn with your own group instead of joining an open class.
Oahu Grand Circle Private Tour: Custom Route & ComfortYou’ll circle Oahu in your own private van with a local guide who’ll adjust every stop to your pace—whether you want more time at wild beaches or extra pineapple whip at Dole Plantation. Expect real conversations, fresh macadamia nuts, temple bells echoing in quiet gardens, plus plenty of space to just breathe it all in.
Pearl Harbor & USS Arizona Memorial Oahu Tour with PickupYou're picked up from your Waikiki hotel and driven to Pearl Harbor, where you board a Navy vessel to visit the USS Arizona Memorial after watching a historical film. The tour then moves through downtown Honolulu, stopping at the King Kamehameha Statue, Iolani Palace, the Hawaii State Capitol, Kawaiahao Church, and the Hawaiian Mission Houses Historic Site. Entry to the USS Arizona Memorial, narrated transport, and hotel pickup and drop-off are all included. The full experience takes seven-plus hours.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see the USS Arizona Memorial and understand Hawaiian history without arranging your own transport, tickets, or timing—the early start and guided stops are what fit everything into one morning and keep the memorial visit uncrowded.
Big Island volcano tour from Oahu: Kilauea and black sand beachA 12-hour volcano tour from Oahu to Hawaii's Big Island includes roundtrip airfare from Honolulu, entry to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, and a local guide narrating the geology and cultural history as you move through the park. The itinerary covers Halemaʻumaʻu Crater, lava tubes, steam vents, Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach and the Kona region, with lunch at Punaluʻu Bake Shop. Meals are at your own expense; bring cash for roadside stops and local vendors.Is it for me?Book this tour if you're staying on Oahu or arriving at Honolulu airport without a rental car—the included roundtrip flights and ground transport mean you don't arrange anything beyond the booking. The 12-hour day is full and requires comfort with walking on uneven volcanic terrain and exposure to volcanic gases; it's not suitable for those with significant mobility challenges or serious respiratory conditions like asthma that sulfur dioxide can aggravate.
Oahu North Shore: Cage-Less Shark Dive & SnorkelYou board at Haleiwa, travel 3 miles offshore into deep water, and enter the water with snorkel gear to observe Galapagos and tiger sharks in their natural habitat. The crew manages safety and timing throughout. You return to the harbor with snorkel equipment included and a direct encounter with sharks that most travelers only read about.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see sharks in open water without the logistics of arranging your own boat or equipment — the crew's experience and the fixed departure point mean you show up and the ocean does the rest.
Waikiki: Surf Lessons with Local Firefighters on Waikiki BeachYou’ll learn to surf from real Hawaiian firefighters right on Waikiki Beach — starting with paddling basics and safety tips in the sand before heading into warm waves for hands-on coaching. Expect laughs, a few tumbles, and maybe even your first ride standing up. That feeling stays with you long after you’ve rinsed off the salt.
Honolulu Airport & Hotel Transfer: Private SUV 1-5 PassengersYou get picked up at Honolulu airport by a named driver, ride in a private air-conditioned SUV to your Waikiki hotel, and skip the taxi line entirely. The 60-minute free wait at the airport means no rush if your flight is delayed or baggage takes time. Parking and airport fees are included, and the price is fixed before you book.Is it for me?Book this if you're traveling to Waikiki and want to skip the taxi line and public transit hassle—the fixed price and included wait time mean you're not paying extra if your flight lands late or you need a few minutes to gather luggage.
Oahu: Moped Rental Day Trip with Custom Maps & LessonsYou’ll ride your own moped along Oahu’s coast with lessons if you need them, custom maps full of local tips, and plenty of storage for beach stops or snacks. Expect salty air, spontaneous detours, and friendly faces — plus the freedom to explore places like Kailua Beach Park or Diamond Head at your own pace.
Oahu: Circle Island Day Tour with Food Tastings & PickupYou’ll taste fresh malasadas near Halona Blowhole, sip Kona coffee with locals, dig into North Shore garlic shrimp for lunch, and maybe spot sea turtles with your guide. This Oahu circle island tour includes pickup from Waikiki hotels so you can just relax and take in all those small moments that make Hawaii feel real.
Waikiki: Sunset Cocktail Cruise Majestic Yacht & City LightsYou’ll board the Majestic yacht in Waikiki for a sunset cocktail cruise with city skyline views and a complimentary welcome drink. Enjoy both open-air decks and an air-conditioned lounge while live music plays in the background. Whether you’re outside feeling the breeze or relaxing by panoramic windows, this evening leaves you with more than just photos.
Oahu: Waikiki Catamaran Swim & Sail with Diamond HeadYou swim in clear water off Waikiki, then relax on a cushioned catamaran as it sails past Diamond Head. The boat includes drinks, netted lounges, and all entry fees. Dolphin and flying fish sightings are possible but not guaranteed. The whole experience takes a few hours and ends with you back on solid ground, still tasting the salt water.Is it for me?Pick this if you want to swim in clear water and see Diamond Head from the water without arranging your own boat or worrying about snorkel logistics—the catamaran handles the route and the timing, so you just show up and get in.
Waikiki Turtle Snorkel: See Green Sea Turtles at Turtle CanyonYou get a two-hour boat ride to a snorkel site just offshore, full gear and a certified guide included, and time in the water watching green sea turtles and tropical fish in shallow, clear conditions. The tour runs multiple times daily from Waikiki, and you're back on land in time for lunch or an afternoon activity.Is it for me?Right for families with kids ages three and up, or anyone wanting to see sea turtles without arranging gear or navigating the reef alone. The two-hour window and multiple daily departures fit easily into a Waikiki day, though you need to be a comfortable swimmer and have moderate fitness to handle the water entry and time in the ocean.
Waikiki Catamaran Sail with Open Bar: Afternoon Trade WindsAn afternoon catamaran sail from Waikiki Beach on Oahu with a fully stocked open bar, departing at 3pm for a 1.5-hour voyage toward Diamond Head. You board directly from the sand—no shuttle, no harbor, no wasted time—and the boat carries near 360-degree views from a spacious 45-foot hull. Beer, wine, cocktails and non-alcoholic drinks are included in the ticket price, along with reef-safe sunscreen, motion sickness aid and parking validation.Is it for me?This works best for afternoon visitors who want to be on the water without eating up the whole day—the 3pm departure and 4:30pm return fit between lunch and dinner, and the direct beach boarding means you skip the usual harbor shuffle. Small groups and families travel together on the same boat, so it's social without being crowded.
Oahu North Shore Tour: Dole Plantation & Byodo-In TempleYou visit five major stops across Oahu's North Shore—starting at the windswept Pali Lookout, moving through the Byodo-In Temple and Valley of the Temples, then into Haleiwa town, local fruit stands, and Dole Plantation—without arranging your own transport or timing. The guide handles the route and pacing; you handle deciding where to spend extra time. Seven hours total, small group, hotel pickup included.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see the North Shore's main landmarks—temples, plantations, local food, and coastal views—without renting a car or planning the route yourself. Small groups mean you're not locked to a rigid schedule, so if something catches your eye, you can linger.
Honolulu: Waikiki Whale Watching Trimaran & Guaranteed SightingsYou board a spacious trimaran and spend two hours watching humpback whales breach and dive in the channel off Waikiki, with a naturalist crew explaining what you're seeing and Diamond Head visible in the distance. Water and ice are included; you can bring your own food. If no one on your boat sees a whale, you get a free return trip. The boat leaves from a Waikiki location within walking distance of most hotels, and you're back ashore by mid-morning.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see humpback whales during the season without arranging your own boat or timing — the crew handles the navigation and the whale-finding, and the guarantee means you're not paying for a trip that might come up empty.
